Mandate violates conscience, morals

Over the course of the past several weeks, we have witnessed one of the most blatant attacks on religious liberty and the freedom of conscience in our nation's history, and the sad fact is that most Americans are not even aware of it.

On Jan. 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared that, under the new universal health care policy, most religiously affiliated institutions would be mandated to provide contraceptives (including surgical sterilization and abortion-inducing pills) without cost under all employee health care policies, regardless of whether this violates their religious beliefs. All organizations have a year to comply with this mandate, or else face hefty fines.

It is the Catholic church that is most heavily affected by this decision, because it believes the use of contraceptives is contrary to the moral law. Ultimately, Catholic institutions will be coerced to act against their consciences.

This is an unprecedented breach of the freedom of conscience and the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution. Fortunately, the U.S. bishops, along with leaders from numerous other denominations and religious affiliations, have protested this intrusion into religious liberty by the U.S. government. They realize this issue is not about the status of the Catholic church, or the morality of contraception, but about the freedom we enjoy as Americans.

Yet, there has been so little reporting on this subject in the mainstream media. Imagine if the government mandated that all restaurants served pork dishes for free to their customers, regardless if the eating of pork violated the religious principles of their proprietors. There would most certainly be an outcry from the Jewish community, and it would make headlines throughout the world—and rightfully so! Where is the outrage for what is being done to Catholics? Or have many Americans fallen victim to the "last acceptable prejudice?"

In a recent article, Timothy Dolan, Catholic Archbishop of New York, posed the unsettling question of "What's next?" He asks, "What other constitutionally protected freedoms might an increasingly powerful federal government revoke? What other mandated violations of conscience lie ahead for other groups of American citizens, in pursuit of what their government declares is in the common interest? For whom doth the bell toll next?"

All Americans, regardless of religious affiliation—regardless of whether or not you even believe in God—ought to take a stand against this unjust policy. Not only because it is blatantly unfair, but also because they could be next. My intent is not to fear-monger, but to awaken consciences. Please become more informed about this pressing issue if you are not so already. In addition, please contact your congressmen and let them know that you support the rights of conscience for all.